Bob Geldof

Musician, Businessman, Founder and Chair of Band Aid, Live Aid and Live8, Co-founder of DATA and ONE

Bob Geldof was born in Dublin, Ireland. He has written and recorded 11 albums as the singer/songwriter with The Boomtown Rats and as a solo artist. He has received many music awards for his work.
In 1985, he established the Band Aid Trust to administer the $150,000,000 raised through his activities with the Band Aid recording ('84), the Live Aid concert ('85) and Sport Aid ('86). He remains chairman of the Trust which continues to operate in many African countries.

In more than twenty years of involvement with Africa, Geldof has been an advisor and vocal supporter to the Jubilee 2000 anti-debt campaign and advisor and co-founder of DATA, the powerful lobby group focussed on better policy for and within Africa. The UK Prime Minister appointed him a Commissioner on the Commission for Africa, which released its report in March 2005, recommending action to be taken by the G8 to remedy the ongoing economic decline of the African continent.

He then organised Live8 - ten landmark worldwide concerts on July 2nd 2005, timed to put pressure on the G8 leaders at their annual summit. The estimated global audience of 3 billion people had the desired effect. The G8 promised to double aid to Africa by 2010 and cancel the unpayable debt of many of the poorest countries, among other significant poverty reducing pledges.

He has a number of media and technology business interests. He is currently founder and director of Ten Alps, the UK's largest independent factual television production company. He has received numerous awards for his TV work.

Amongst other international honours, in 1986 he was awarded a knighthood for his work on Africa and has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize 5 times.